Esteve Mateu

Esteve Mateu (emateu26) - The Blitz Maestro

Esteve Mateu, known online as emateu26, is a formidable force in the world of blitz chess, with a rating that has soared close to the celling of human reflexes and strategic prowess. Starting his journey at a respectable 1937 in blitz back in 2019, Esteve’s rating steadily skyrocketed to an incredible peak of 2567 in April 2025—no small feat for anyone who’s ever hesitated before a move!

Esteve’s prowess extends beyond just blitz. His bullet rating peaked at a stunning 2623 in June 2025, showcasing lightning-fast decision-making that leaves opponents grappling to keep up. While rapid and daily formats have seen fewer games, his peak rapid rating of 1872 and daily rating over 2000 prove that even in slower games, Esteve knows his way around the board.

Playing Style & Psychology

Esteve’s style is a delightful cocktail of patience and aggression. Averaging about 78 moves per winning game in blitz, he clearly enjoys a good strategic tussle—though his average loss ends quicker, around 67 moves. He’s not one to quit early, with a remarkably low early resignation rate of just under 1%. A true fighter, he boasts a comeback rate near 90%, meaning even when the odds are stacked against him, Esteve often pulls off the unexpected.

It's said his best time to play is at 2:00 AM — perhaps when the rest of us mere mortals are asleep, Esteve’s mind sharpens like a knight’s well-honed dagger! His psychological tilt factor is impressively low, showing a cool head even under pressure.

Grandmaster of the Openings?

Esteve likes to keep his openings a bit mysterious, with a vast number of games classified under Top Secret, but when he reveals his cards, the Sicilian Defense and its many variations shine through as weapons of choice. Whether it's the accelerated dragon, Najdorf, or the trusty French Defense, Esteve maneuvers his pieces with cunning and flair. His win rates for these openings often hover above 60%, and sometimes even hit a perfect score (we suspect some of those extra wins might be against unlucky friends).

Notable Opponents & Records

Esteve has crossed swords with some memorable rivals, holding positive records against many and showing no fear of titans. For instance, several opponents like aridelariva and delicioushammydrop have had a tough time, with Esteve maintaining undefeated records or scoring multiple wins.

Recent Battles on the Board

In his latest adventures, Esteve has demonstrated both his tactical sharpness and his composure under pressure:

• Victory by resignation: Against AltYxa_BratYxa02, demonstrating his knack for putting opponents on the ropes.
• Victory on time: Outlasting SwimmingTrolley in a thrilling Vienna Game encounter.
• Victory by checkmate: Finishing off Carlsen2030 with a precise Scandinavian Defense assault.

Of course, even the best have their off days. Esteve recently tasted defeat by checkmate against Sallypallydally, reminding us all that chess is a humbling teacher.

Fun Facts

• Esteve has a current longest winning streak of 21 games. That’s a lot of “check” and very little “mate” for his opponents!
• He has a remarkably low One Sided Loss Rate of just about 2%, proving he rarely gives up without a fight.
• His favorite move to announce: Resignation from his opponents, clocking almost 1500 wins that way in blitz alone.

To sum it up, Esteve Mateu is a chess connoisseur who blends speed, strategy, and resilience, making him a player that others love to watch... and dread facing. Whether it’s a quick bullet on a whim or a battle of blitz titans, emateu26 has carved his name impressively on the digital chess battlegrounds.